Xiao Xun's expression was blank, her mind occupied with some unspoken thought. "It's nothing, it's what you deserve. I've been around for so many years, learned nothing else, but I'm pretty good with computers. The language on computers is called C. I almost went bald learning it, so don't let my age fool you; we're pretty much the same."
"Since President Xiao is being so polite, it would be rude of me to refuse." With that, he stepped forward and took the box.
Xiao Xun leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and clasping her hands on her lap in a display of executive demeanor. "I assume you're not here today just for a reunion!"
Wang Sucheng nodded. "Of course not, but I wonder if this is a convenient time to talk."
"Since you're already here, what could possibly be inconvenient? Surely it's not that Secretary Fan caused you trouble back then!"
Wang Sucheng noticed Xiao Xun made no move to offer him a seat and felt a bead of sweat on his forehead. "No, that's not it. It's just, I wonder if you remember, you have an old classmate who also works at our company."
Xiao Xun thought for a moment, then a look of realization dawned on her face. "You mean Zhang Ming? Is he still in the technical department?"
Wang Sucheng seemed hesitant to speak, a feeling of wanting to say but being unable to. "He is, but..."
Xiao Xun's expression turned cold. "Just say what you need to say. He's just a university classmate of mine. I saw he had some ability, and at the time you needed someone to take over, so I recommended him."
Hearing this, a weight lifted from Wang Sucheng's heart.
Xiao Xun chuckled inwardly. So, this old fox had come to lodge a complaint.
Wang Sucheng licked his lips. "President Xiao, please don't misunderstand. I'm not here to complain. It's just that as a veteran of St. Roman, I've been here since the company was founded. I truly consider the company my home, so..."
Xiao Xun stood up and walked over to Wang Sucheng. "I know, I know. You know my relationship with President Mu. St. Roman is also my home. Since it's for the good of the family, there are no outsider words. Just tell me directly."
As she spoke, she called towards the door, "Secretary Fan, please get Manager Wang some water."
Then, she said to Wang Sucheng, "See, you've been here for a while, not sitting, so make yourself at home. Have some water, have a cigarette, don't be polite. When you're too polite, it feels distant."
At that moment, Secretary Fan walked in with a glass of plain water. She knew Wang Sucheng preferred coffee, but Xiao Xun had asked for water, so it was water.
Under normal circumstances, when someone entered the CEO's office, the assistant would usually ask them what they wanted to drink and then serve them. However, Wang Sucheng had been in for quite some time without anyone offering him a drink, clearly indicating Secretary Fan's prior instructions.
Secretary Fan approached Wang Sucheng with a smile, holding the glass of water. "Manager Wang, please enjoy."
Wang Sucheng stood up and said, "Thank you," before finally sitting down.
Xiao Xun remained standing, watching Wang Sucheng. In the middle of winter, sweat continued to bead on Wang Sucheng's forehead.
"Alright, speak. What happened with Zhang Ming?"
"He wanted the position of General Manager before, and when he approached me, I refused. He then revealed your connection."
Xiao Xun thought to herself, This kid really knows how to leverage connections. I never saw that in him before.
"And after you knew, what did you do?"
Wang Sucheng looked at the water, wanting to drink but daring not to pick up the glass. "I still didn't agree, and then..."
Xiao Xun saw his hesitation. "Drink some water to moisten your throat. Then what?"
Wang Sucheng picked up the glass. "Then Secretary Fan brought the work team. I intended to recommend Zhang Ming for the General Manager position again, but I discovered he had stolen and sold confidential company documents. This matter is too serious; I didn't dare make a decision privately, so I came to you."
Xiao Xun replied indifferently, "Is there evidence?"
Wang Sucheng nodded. "Yes."
"How about this: salvage as much of the loss as possible. As for Zhang Ming... let's assign him a less critical role for now. I think the position vacated by Zhang Youwei when he stepped down as director would be suitable. If not, we can transfer him there. We'll discuss everything after the New Year."
Wang Sucheng nodded. "Understood, I'll follow President Xiao's instructions."
He then stood up. "What about the new director candidate?"
Xiao Xun took out her phone and dialed a number. It was answered shortly. "Manager Liu, please come to the President's office."
She hung up and looked at Wang Sucheng. "Don't worry, have a seat for a while."
Wang Sucheng cautiously sat down again, placing his hands on his knees, looking like a junior employee at a job interview.
A moment later, the assistant opened the door, and Lu Qiaoya entered.
Wang Sucheng quickly stood up again, looking at the newly arrived Lu Qiaoya.
"Allow me to introduce: Wang Sucheng, the new President of St. Roman, and Lu Qiaoya from Longtan Group."
The two shook hands. Xiao Xun said to Lu Qiaoya, "It's like this: St. Roman is a subsidiary of our group. They are short of a Technical Director. If you have a suitable candidate, please assign one. If not, have them work with Manager Wang. Within three days, I want a suitable person chosen. They can only be selected from St. Roman's original departments or your department. No temporary hires are allowed."
Lu Qiaoya nodded, then seemed to remember something. However, seeing Xiao Xun's expression, he suppressed his curiosity.
Wang Sucheng smiled. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Manager Liu."
"It's my duty, my duty."
"Alright, no more business pleasantries. Let's go! I have a meeting at three this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, both men quickly apologized to Xiao Xun and prepared to leave.
Xiao Xun picked up the box of cigars. "Manager Wang, don't forget."
Wang Sucheng took the box. "How could I forget? I've noted it."
After a simple meal, Xiao Xun arrived at the main conference room.
The spacious conference room, excluding the secretaries and assistants, was occupied by only six people in total: major shareholders, representatives from branch companies, and Xiao Xun herself, making it feel quite empty.
The seating arrangements had already been made. Mr. Feng occupied the place of honor in the center, with Xiao Xun seated immediately to his left.
She checked her watch; it was three minutes to three, and Mr. Feng showed no sign of appearing.
What Xiao Xun was thinking at that moment was that a secretary would quickly enter, speak into the microphone, and announce that Mr. Feng had an urgent matter and the meeting was canceled. She detested meetings, and as the company's second-in-command, she would be expected to speak. She hadn't prepared anything – financial reports, next year's plans. The thought alone filled Xiao Xun with an unprecedented sense of unease.
As the three minutes passed, the door was pushed open. Two assistants entered first, followed by Mr. Feng, and then four secretaries and two more assistants.
Mr. Feng took his seat at the head of the table. An assistant opened the microphone for him. In reality, with only seven people present, Mr. Feng's slightly raised voice would have been audible to everyone, but the ritual had to be observed.
He grasped the short microphone stand and glanced at those present. "Thank you all for attending this meeting despite your busy schedules. To cut to the chase, today's meeting is about organizing the company's annual gala. In previous years, it was just a small gathering for the employees. This year, we want to enhance the atmosphere of the evening. Does anyone have any good ideas or suggestions?"
Xiao Xun's eyes darted. "As we all know, Mr. Feng is usually a man of few words. If, at the annual gala, Mr. Feng were to sing a song or perform a dance, the reaction would be tremendous. The atmosphere of the gala would surely be explosive, and it would become a hot topic online."